The Portland daily press., 1887-10-29

was the Gladstonian candidate for the London
borough Of North Hackney at the last Parliamen-
tary election. He is at present the guest of His
Honor, Mayor Chapman, and he has favored us
with his views on English poltlcs.l
Notwithstanding the bad and disgraeeful
news from Ireland, the political outlook Is
by no means gloomy or depressing to the
Liberals who follow Mr.. Gladstone. The
work Of political education is being carried
on, and the result Is not uncertain or dis
tant. The question has ceased 10 be wheth-
er Ireland shall have Home Rule. The point
now to be decided is when this shall be
granted, and under what conditions. Par
tial justice has been done to that country in
the Catholic emancipation act, in the aboh-
tion of the State church, in successive land
| acts, and in wide extension Of the parlia-
mentary franchise. Home Rule Is the crown
and the complement of such resources, and
1t cannot long be delayed. The intelligent
people OF America are naturally surprised
| that the proposal should awaken so much
| opposition and resentment, even on the part
OF English Tories. But it is difficult TO ef-
feet great constitutional changes In an old
country, girt around with traditions, preju-
dices aud customs The nation has TO be
informed and convinced, and this process is
| going on.
/ TORYISM UNCHANGED AND UNCHANGEABLE
The Crimes Bill reveals the true nature Of
Toryism. 1t was pressed through the legisla-
ture in spite Of the fact, demonstrated by
the government returns, that crime in Ireland
vas never so low or so slight. II Is now be-
ing administered with ruthless severity, as II
with the malignant purpose Of provoking
| crime by infuriating the people. This re-
| veals the Tory nature in all its hideOus de-
| formity. 1t is naked and not ashamed.
| Some Of us always knew its real character,
| just as In the fable the donkey was disguised
beneath the lions skin. Whatever its mod
ern protean powers, Toryism Is unchanged
/ and Interchangeable In its essence. 1t means
monopoly, vested interests, class legislation,
exclusiveness, intolerance, and the rule Of
| the few for their own benefit at the expense
| of the many. 1t has always been opposed to
| liberty and progress. All reforms have been
extorted from IL when further resistance was
impossible, or as the price Of continuing in
| office. 1t Is in the habit Of declaring that il
has no connection with the Liberal shop over
the way. The political goods shown in the
window are tlcketed as the zeal and cheap
articles, marked with large and black 81 in
ink, but with 99c family added IN pencil.
GLADSTONE TRIUMPHANTLY INDICATED.
Prior to and during the election Of last
year, Mr.. Gladstone affirmed that there was
no other course open for Ireland than Home
Rule or coercion. This was passionately
denied by the Tories, and by their quondam
allies, the dissentient Liberals, who said
there was another course. Ample time has
elapsed for the development of third line
ofpoliey, but it is not forthcoming. The
Tories have displayed alternate brutality
and feebleness, and have tried to act the
part Bunyan's Mr.. Facing -both-ways. They
| resisted Mr.. ParnelPs proposal last October
| for the suspension OF eyictions, pending an
inquiry as to further revision Of judicial
| rents. They have not had the courage or the
| honesty 70 legislate on the lines of the re-
port OF the C0wper Commission which they
appointed. In August, 1885, Lord Salisbury
said that 1T was not honest and exceedingly
inexpedient' to make any revision Of judic-
ial rents. Last April he added that such
proposal would destroy the very founda-
tions Of civil society" In May his govern
ment inserted in their bill clause to this
very thing; but it was taken out in June; re-
stored and enlarged in July; and again
abandoned in August. The only thing done
has been to resort to brute force la order TO
coerce whole nation. AL this serves to
show that there is no alchemy by which
leaden instincts.
HOW IRELAND is BEING TREATED.
The Gladstonian Liberals have always
maintained that the Tory policy was direct-
ed, not against crime, but against opinion.
|
at any cost. Nearly five millions Of people
were to be dragooned into submission. Free
discussion, on the platform and through the
press, was to be forbidden. The expressed
wishes of the vast majority Of the electors
were to be dlsregarded. Three-fourths of
their number have returned S5 out Of a total
OF 103 members of Parliament, pledged to
Home rule. All these things are ignored by
the Tories. An army OF 10000 soldiers aud
1 hri a md afalsl
played, n0minally, to maintain law and or
der but really to assist landlords and their
agents to extort exorbitant and impossible
rents. In cases Of eviction, every dollar of
rent costs i've dollars to collect, and the ex-
pense Of all this falls upon the taxpayers.
They have actually to provide the money
| which Is used for their own oppression by
| officials In whose appointment they have no
voice, and who virtually do as they choose.
Everything centres in Dublin Castle, and
there Is little or nothing Of local elf-gOvern-
ment in Ireland. Meetings called to protest
against military rule are forbidden or dis
persed. Speakers and writers who dare to
complain are arrested and imprisoned, and
the tory gag is being applied.
THE ATTITUDE OF THE PEOPLE.
Yet the Irish people have shown wonder
full patience and forbearance during the last
terrible year. Their self Testrant is most com
mendable. They know that the English
people mean to do what is just and generous.
Hence they endure these present wrongs,
hoping for the speedy dawn Of brighter
day. The marvel is that there have been so
few outbreaks. 1t speaks well for the Irish
nation as a whole that they have refused to
be bounded on to resistance that would
have been made the pretext for further
measures OF oppression. Their instincts
| have detected the trap that was being laid
and they have refused to walk into 1t. Never
was there time when the great mass Of the
people OF the two countries were so closely
allied in sympathy. The people of England
are beginning to perceive what is really
meant. They will not tolerate any attempts
to treat Ireland in an exceptional manner,
| and to suppress public opinion Ii Is an
outrage upon their sense of justice TO punish
man as felOn simply because he protests
against misrule and oppression.
TURNING OF THE TIDE.
Mr.. Gladstone has always said that the
heart Of the people was in favor Of his Irish
policy He has never swerved for a moment
from his chosen line. In the darkest days
his hope and courage have not failed. His
own magnificent energy has inspired his
followers. Recent bye-elections show that
the tide has turned Last year, many Glad
stonian candidates. like myself. were de-
feated at the polls, especially in London,
i
cult to reach and influence. False issues
were raised, and catehphrases become cur
rent. S0norous syllables often govern the
world. We were charged with design to
break up the Empire, although this is ridicu-
l0nsly and fiagrantly untrue. The demon Of
religious bigOtry was aroused, and the sell
fishnesS Of the British taxpayer was ap-
pealed TO by the fasehOOd that he would have
to find S75O.0 900 to buy out the Irish land
lords. Red herrings like these we're drawn
across the scent, but the popular instinct has
since detected the trick Whenever the next
general election occurs we are sanguine as to
the result.
THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE,
The Tories do not appeal TO the country,
II they can help 1t. Still less do the dissen
tient Liberals. Most of these would assured
ly receive an unceremomious dismissal from
their constituents. Mr.. Joseph Chamber
lain's temper is as bitter as ever. but his fol-
lowing Is very small ana uninhuental Lord
Harrington and the Whig section will doubt
less end by becoming Tories. Only q shad-
owy line at present divides them. The John
Bright Of today is not the glorious tribune OF
the people who formerly thrilled and in.
spired them. Lord Randolph Churchill will
,kahl trxr ~.